Technology Knowledge Transfer Specialist at University of Nairobi

Ref: AD/4/20/23

The position

Reporting to the Project teams at the University of Nairobi, Aston University and Solargen Technologies Ltd, Nairobi, the position entails designing and developing the hybrid energy Smart Irrigation System, with the support of the IUK-KTNs Knowledge Transfer Advisers. It also involves documentation of all developmental steps with technical reports and procedures to ensure the new capability is embedded in the company

Job specifications

• At least an MSc degree with a background in; Agriculture or Mechanical and/or Design Engineering with expertise in mathematical modelling and simulation techniques with particular emphasis on energy systems and supply. PhD degree holders, will have an added advantage
• Agricultural machinery and technological knowledge with emphasis on irrigation systems design. Significant relevant industrial experience is essential, together with a high level of technical expertise and experience.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the project;
• Intellectually and commercially develop a technical solution, which is effective and financially viable;
• Design and install a workable irrigation system;
• Design of the hybrid energy system;
• Design and implementation of the automated control systems;
• Lead the development, working collaboratively with the Technical Team to build and embed knowledge and expertise;
• Ensure all design/development steps are recorded, create technical reports and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure successful embedding of the knowledge;
• With the Supervisors / Professors assist in writing and publishing papers in the assorted journals on the knowledge transfer project;
• Organize the workshops and assist in setting agendas of the workshops and
• Report any development to knowledge transfer supervisors and document the same.

Key skills/ experience required include:

• Engineering Design;
• SolidWorks or similar CAD Software;
• MATLAB or similar modelling software;
• SIMULINK or equivalent simulation software;
• Knowledge of Wind Turbines and Photovoltaic Electricity generation;
• Control Systems and Sensors;
• Knowledge of irrigation systems design, installation and maintenance and
• Knowledge on agricultural machinery operations.

In addition, it would be desirable that the specialist have understanding of:

• Local agriculture and the impact of irrigation;
• Sustainable energy systems and renewable power generation;
• Programming in high level languages e.g., Python;
• CROPWAT software (open-source software to calculate water requirements for crops) and
• Understanding of Microsoft Office or other office productivity software